Thanks Mike, Some good ideas from both you and Gary.

I don't want a large pad, just enough for 30 cows, 15 on each side, and wide enough so manure dropped while eating hay through the guard rail probably falls on the concrete. Then put gravel topped by screenings out a couple more yards sloping down and away from the concrete. Those screenings set up almost like concrete.

I could then put up a single hot wire around the whole thing with a slinky gate opening and limit access time when I am around to manage it, roll the wire up when I'm not.  This will cut down on mud and loafing around the hay under roof quite a bit. And vary the traffic pattern.

I have tried it both ways, moving the hay and feeding in one spot and feel in my situation and conditions it works much better to just feed hay in one spot all winter.

Interesting thought on using the hay feed area to finish some of the lighter calves when I need to get them all off of the grazing corn...

Agreed 4" should also be plenty as long as it's on a good base with rebar.

This could come together... Thank you both.

Jim